Wall-protector



(No Model.)

M. T. PRESCOTT.'

WALL PROTECTOR.

Patented July 28, 1 891.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MARY THORNDYKE PRESCOT', OF SOMERVILLE, MASSACHUSETTS.

WALL-PROTECTOR.

'EECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 456,775, dated July 28, 1891. Application filed April 25, '1891.' Serial No. 390,515. (No model.)

To all whom, t may concern/:

Be it known that I, MARY THORNDYKE PRESCOTT, a citizen of the United States, residing at Somerville, in the county of Middlesex and State of Massachusetts, have invented a Hand Implement for Protecting Valls and fall-Paper while Vashing or lViping the Adjacent lVoo l-iVork orSurface,of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, making part of this specilication, in which- Figure l'is a perspective view of my wallprotector ready for use on straight-edged wood-Work. Fig. 2 is a view of the same with the parts in the positions which they occupy when the protector is 'used on curved-edged wood-Work.

In house-cleaning when the interior woodwork is being Washed or wiped with a wet or damp cloth the adjacent wall-paper or wall frequentlybecomes soiled or defaced by carclessness in allowing the wet cloth to come into contact therewith. My invention has for its object to guard against this g and it consists in a hand implement of novel construction for protecting the wall-paper or wall while the adjacent surface is being washed or wiped, said implement consisting of two plates hinged or connected together and adapted to be secured at an angle to each other or folded one upon the other, said plates having straight and curved edges to enable them to fit snugly against the straight and curved edges of the wood-work or other surfaces lying neXt to the wall-paper or Wall which is thus covered and protected, as hereinafter more particularly set forth.

In the said drawings, A represents a rectangular plate, preferably composed of tin, which is provided with a handle b to enable it to be held by the hand with its Hat surface against the wall-paper or wall of a room and with its edge c resting against the adjoining skirting-board B or other woodwork or surface which it may be desired to wash or wipe with a wet or damp cloth, which operation can thus be easily performed without any liability 4 of the said cloth coming into contact with and soiling or defacing the wall-paper or Wall which is covered by the plate A. To this plate A is hinged at d another plate C, also of tin, said plate having a rectangular aperture e, corresponding approximately in length and width to the handle l), to permit the plate C to be folded over and lie flat upon theplate A, as seen in Fig. l, where it can be secured in place by a button f, pivoted to the plate A, and adapted to be turned into a position to overlap the plate C. The upper edge g of the plate C is inclined or slightly concave, while its lower edge 7i is convex or curved outward, these edges being thus adapted to fit or rest snugly against the curved edges of the Wood-work on stairways or in other locations where the edges of the surface to be washed are concave or convex instead of straight.

Vhen the plate C is to be used, itfis swung outward on the hinge l into a position at right angles to the plate A, as seen in Fig. 2, where it is fastened and securely held by a wire hook or brace t, pivoted to the plate A and adapted to iit at its outer end into a socket 7c, formed by soldering a narrow strip to the plate C. This brace fi, when lifted out of the socket lr., can be turned down flat against the plate A, as seen dotted in Fig. 2, and will not consequently prevent the two plates from being folded closely together, as seen in Fig. l.

The plate C, when in the position shown in Fig. 2, can be held by means of the handle l) of the plate A snugly up against the wall to be protected, either with its upper or lower edge against the edge of the wood-work being washed, according to the direction of its curvature, the comparatively short length of the plate C enabling it to iit any curves usually found in the interior finish of a house. This could not be accomplished with a single long plate having both straight and curved edges, as it would not properly fit the lcurved edges of the surfaces to be washed. Hence l employ two plates, as described, one with straight and the other with curved edges, either of which may be employed, as desired, according to the nature of the work to be done, while, when the plate C is not required for use, it can be folded iiat onto the plate A out of the way. The end m of the plate C is inclined or beveled to enable it to iit angles or corners on stairways or in other locations wherever found.

The plate A is used for straight-edged ICO ro fore, no special care being required except to see that the edge of the plate fits or rests snugly upon the edge of the Wood-work at the point Where the cloth is being used.

The handle l) is perforated at its ends at p I p to form a socket or holder for a sharppointed spindle or stick G, which may be Withdrawn and used to advantage to remove dirt from cracks or crevices, and when replaced will always be at hand andthe liability of its being mislaid thus avoided.

That I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. A Wall protector1 or guard composed of two plates hinged together and provided one with straight and the otk er with curved edges, and one ot' said plates having a handle whereby either plate can be held against the surface to be protected, combined with a brace or hook for holding said plates at an angle to each other, all constructed to operate substantially as set forth.

2. A Wall protector or guard composed of a rectangular plate A, provided with a handle b, and an auxiliary plate C, hinged to the plate A and having concave and convex edges g 7i, and said plate C having an aperture e to permit it to lit over the handle b and lie flat upon the plate A, combined with a pivoted brace or hook 1T, adapted to lock the said plates at an angle to each otherwhen the plate C is to be used, substantially as set forth. l

3. The combination ofthe rectangular plate A, provided with a handle b, having apertures for the reception of a pointed spindle G, the plate C, hinged to the plate A and having concave and convex edges g 7L and an inclined or beveled end fm., said plate C having an aperture c to permit it to fit over the handle b and lie flat upon the plate A, the pivoted brace or hook t, adapted to hold the two plates at an angle to each other, and the buttonf, all constructed and arranged to operate substantially as and for the purpose described.

Witness my hand this 22d day of April, A. D. 180]..

MARY THORNDYKE PRESCOTT.

In presence of- P. E. TEscHEMAcHER, HARRY W. AIKEN. 

